Why Black Panther’s box office success matters

Movies spotlighting people of color are kicking ass right now.

The buzz around the Black Panther movie release should come as no surprise to anyone keeping tabs on representation in media these days. People want movies that feature people of color and their stories. But there is a dearth in the supply of films produced that do that. Vox spoke with the UCLA sociology professor Darnell Hunt about how Hollywood has progressed to diversify its characters and stories to reflect the demographics of the US. Watch this video to understand how America’s changing makeup is key to Black Panther’s early dominance at the box office.

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[randomdude]

Vox: "...our cultural icons are not consistant with what we look like as a country..."
Also Vox: *names Hulk*
Me: "I mean yes, it's good that nobody looks like freaking Hulk!"

[ken_yap]

We need more Asian representation in Hollywood too, and none of those racist stereotypical roles. Time for Asians to be properly represented in the media too. #AsianRepresentInHollywood

[hogpen]

Don't judge a film by the color of it's actors but the content and it's characters.

[pctLowBattery]

The clips of the kids unbridled JOY about going to see “Black Panther” was awesome. Representation matters.

The coolest thing about the Black Panther is the message it might sends these kids...because when you see a hero that LOOKS LIKE YOU, it helps you find the hero inside of you.

Let them have their moment, there won’t be another one for another 20 years if history is any indication.

The man who made “Black Panther” cool - Christopher Priest

[rudyg]

I remember when I was in high school and I had this teacher who always wore traditional African clothes; the type of clothes seen in the movie. A good amount of the black students made fun of her and constant made jokes. Now they’re the ones wearing the clothes smh

[matthewlynch]

We need an Asian superhero. Unless a movie is about Kung Fu.... asian actors are never called.

[simpleasliam]

It also helps that Black Panther is awesome, got a great story, surrounded by a rich

[AceisTired]

Naw man, i wanna see black panther cuz he's my favorite superhero, i don't care about the politics, becasue lets face it Black Panther is by far one of the coolest of the Marvel superheros.

[TCDREAM]

Black Panther's suit is so dope 🔥

[tylerwardle]

Why is everybody acting like black panther is the only movie to ever have black people in it?

[AbhyudayGaur]

BLACK PANTHER IS NOT "ALL ABOUT REPRESENTATION"
It's just a fun superhero adaptation. Jeez, stop ruining everything.

[flyingsamosa]

Did you know that Samuel L Jackson is black?

[sheelotastic]

I don't see how this empowers anyone. I'm a coloured person who is also a huge superhero fan. It never perturbed me that most superhero are white. You know why? Because IT'S FICTION. I don't hold movies as a method of learning life experiences or lessons. It doesn't matter what colour a movie character is...

[Suspendedsamuel]

This film wasn’t made to increase diversity or to be an inspiration to black people, this film would’ve been made either way. Black panther and all the rest of the heroes are crucial to infinity war. It’s not like they wouldn’t have made this film, this was part of the plan all along or BP would have been removed from the comics.

[luiscandy]

We need a Hispanic big screen hero not just Robbie Reyes on tv...

[starcherry]

Ugh I can't wait to see this movie! I've been waiting so long!

[bobjones]

I'm a person of color and it really bothers me that art must be altered in order to appease a group of people. Shouldn't a movie be driven by the storyline it provides not the representation of a certain demographic?

[andrewsummersgill]

I honestly just want to watch a good movie, nothing else. I don't wanna watch something that has underlying modern political relevance. People watch movies to relax and escape daily life and I'm %100 ok with a hidden good message in a movie. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I hope black panther isn't plagued with political views that ruin the movie....

Edit: I saw it and it was better than I thought it was. :)

[samutube]

You know the video represents a political stance in some way when there are 5 times as more dislikes than usual...

[HiyasuJ]

Now we need a proper film about an Asian and an Oceanian superhero so everybody is happy 😊